Letters to the editor: March 16, 2011

I am writing to comment on Jeff Kohnstamm's March 8 response to an op-ed written written earlier by Dennis Chaney, who presented a reasoned, well-thought-out argument of why he opposes the proposed mountain bike park at Timberline Lodge. Mr. Kohnstamm belittled Mr Chaney as being a 'non-resident ... to try to tell the community members what is best for them' by using 'misinformation.'

I believe that Mr. Kohnstamm is confused in his suggestion that 'non-residents' have no say in the use and care of United States National Forests, which belong to all of us. In spite of the wide swaths of clearcuts to accommodate snowboarders three or four years ago, Timberline Lodge has traditionally done a reasonably good job of caring for our forests. It is now overstepping the line of good care by wanting to introduce such an ugly, destructive entity.

Phyllis Kirk

Oregon City

Music that brings everyone together

Had a wonderful experience recently at Mt. Hood Community College (hearing the Mt. Hood Pops perform). Much in our current lives is so troubling and discordant, it was soothing to hear and see this group of musicians work together (after what must be enormous investment in time and energy) to demonstrate how such a diverse group can work together to do something for everyone. I say diverse as unlike most of us in the audience who were (to put it kindly) not young, the orchestra had a wide range of ages to go along with the range of instruments, and (I would guess) many different political, religious and other cultural and personal values.

But no matter - they performed as one, and we enjoyed music composed hundreds of years ago by masters who couldn't have imagined our modern circumstances, and others composed more recently, for this commonly shared and most agreeable evening.

Dick McQueen

Brightwood

Malone's continued leadership a benefit

I was pleased to read in the Sandy Post that our former mayor, Linda Malone, is seeking appointment to the vacancy on the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners left by Lynn Peterson ('Malone throws hat in county ring,' March 1).

It's not a shock, though; Malone has been talking about this potential move since I was editor of The Post, and it's a move I fully support as a citizen of Sandy.

What attention Clackamas County has given the city of Sandy is largely due to the efforts of Malone, who, as Sandy's mayor, was an active participant in C4 (the Clackamas County Coordinating Committee).

She attended many, many meetings that were not mandatory for a volunteer (as in non-paid) mayor. She participated with the League of Oregon Cities and went to Washington, D.C., on several occasions lobbying for Sandy's interests.

As the March 9 issue of The Post stated, there could be gobs of applicants for this appointment, but with former commissioner and former Estacada mayor Bob Austin graciously bowing out of consideration, Malone really is the only clear-cut choice for this appointment, not just because of her leadership experience, but also because of her geographic location.

With no dedicated zoning on the County Commission, there is a desperate need of representation from East Clackamas County. The closest current board member by geography lives in Milwaukie - a city nothing like the Mount Hood corridor.

Malone likely will end up with the appointment because the current board knows, trusts and respects her. New Chairwoman Charlotte Lehan and Commissioner Jim Bernard served as mayors of Wilsonville and Milwaukie, respectively, with Malone before they joined the board.

Malone and outgoing Chairwoman Lynn Peterson had a good working relationship as well. Even though she would be required to lead from a countywide perspective, Malone on the County Commission would be a tremendous resource to Sandy and the Mount Hood corridor, putting her decades of experience here to use at the next level.

This is an exciting development after her surprising Nov. 2 election defeat. Sandy and its neighbors could continue to benefit from Malone's leadership for years to come.

Marcus Hathcock

Sandy

Grateful for Sandy community support

I'd like to take a moment to thank the readers of the Sandy Post for their interest in the outcome of my payment issue with Clackamas County. It is gratifying to know that so many readers have communicated their concern and desire to see a resolution on this matter.

Like your readership, many customers and individuals who live in and visit our communities have expressed dismay that no compensation has been provided to Wy'east Book Shoppe and Art Gallery for the visitor information services we provided at my store for more than two years.

Internal issues at the Clackamas County Tourism and Cultural Affairs division, which resulted in my location not receiving a formal contract or funding as promised, caused the funding delay.

Folks are still amazed by the outpouring of sentiment at the town hall meeting last summer. The many letters, e-mails and petitions sent to support my cause have not had any effect in securing the money I am due.

Needless to say, the personal stress and ongoing financial hardship this situation has caused are significant for me and for my business.

I'd like to again affirm my desire to achieve a successful resolution with Clackamas County in this matter without threat of legal action.

Because my attorney is currently unable to represent me due to a conflict of interest with another matter, I fervently hope that both sides can use this as an opportunity to resolve things amicably and fairly.